5 MS Dhoni traits that inspire us the most

Mahendra Singh Dhoni comes from a humble Indian middle-class background. He didn’t go to a high-tech academy to learn his cricket, didn’t have the best of facilities and exposure nor the super fine cricket kits we see these days. He was nowhere in the scene in his under-19 years, didn’t have a popular coach to back him, tell people what this long haired dude was capable of. Despite all that and more Mahendra from Jharkhand, a state never known for its cricket has scripted unparalleled success for himself and Indian cricket. For those who have followed him, it’s not just his cricket that makes them admire MS Dhoni, there is a lot more.

The values he learned in his growing years can be seen in his approach in life and cricket. Though he isn’t very popular among the masses for he is accused of being the reason behind the exit of some of Indian cricket’s greats. But they have time and again stood by him and clarified, it was the team he was taking decisions for and on most occasions he made the right calls. Be it the legend Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid or even Sourav Ganguly for that matter have all at various points backed Dhoni as the captain and what he has done for Indian cricket.

He hadn’t seen most luxuries in life; his father Pan Singh held a junior management position in a PSU. He earned his living while still in the first half of his 20s and today when there is no material luxury beyond his reach MS Dhoni continues to relish the basic simplicities of life. He is under the spotlight while playing for India but once he is not serving the team it isn’t easy even for the media to learn what he is up to. A very private person keeps his on-field emotions and off-field engagements to himself and those who matter to him. Dhoni has over the years not just inspired people with his cricket but a lot more. And here I try to list out the 5 things about MS Dhoni that inspire us the most.

1. Rise to the top:

He made his debut for India in December 2005 and before he completed two years in international cricket was already appointed the captain of the Indian Twenty20 side. Dhoni wasn’t deterred by the challenge, rather shouldered the responsibility. He led that bunch of young cricketers to World Cup success while literally nobody thought they could. Achieving something as big as that isn’t possible unless you have concrete faith in your abilities.

Dhoni though was young as a skipper at that point was successful in instilling that belief in his team. Each and every individual from that squad knew they were on a mission and that if they could, then it would change the rest of their lives and inscribe their names in the history of cricket as the first team to lift the T20 World Cup. Small names put up stupendous performances. Those rookies’ concurred moments where the seasoned campaigners can lose their nerves to write history.

Come the World Cup 2011 and he was leading team India in a World Cup for the second time. Playing at home with possibly the most experienced side, there was pressure, this time, there were expectations, billions were watching and millions were praying. They needed to win it and they did. All the players including Sachin Tendulkar were at the highest point in their career. He was handed over the trophy and he just took it to pass it on to his team; they deserved it all not just the skipper.